Personality disorders can be difficult to deal with, and borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be one of the most challenging. If you have a loved one who is struggling with BPD, it is normal for you to be worried about them and be looking for ways to help. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some things that can be helpful in supporting someone with BPD. If you’re resident in Portland, you can start by seeking help for your loved one experiencing BPD from a trusted drug rehab center in Portland.
Also, you need to understand better what borderline personality disorder is so that you can offer the right support to your loved one experiencing BPD. Well, you’re in the right place; in this post, we’ll discuss some of the ways you can help your loved one with a borderline personality disorder. Let’s start by explaining Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by unstable moods, relationships, and self-identity. A person with a borderline personality disorder often finds it difficult to tolerate staying alone and also tends to push people away. BPD is a condition that starts in early adulthood, and the symptoms tend to be intense in young adults and could fade off as they grow older.
What Are the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder?
There are a few key symptoms to look out for when trying to determine if someone you know may have a borderline personality disorder.
According to experts, people with BPD may experience intense mood swings, feelings of emptiness and worthlessness, and problems with regulating their emotions. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable relationships, exhibit impulsive and reckless behavior, and have persistent thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
How Can You Help Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder?
If you want to help someone with borderline personality disorder, there are a few things you can do.
Get information about BPD
If you have a loved one experiencing BPD, try to have a proper understanding of the condition. It’s usually difficult to render help on something you have no knowledge of; hence, equip yourself with the right information about borderline personality disorder so that you can offer meaningful assistance.
Adequate knowledge will guide you in responding to a BPD patient. This will help lessen conflicts and other forms of emotional outbursts.
Try To Be Understanding And Patient.
People with BPD can often be moody and erratic, and they may say and do things that they don’t understand. It’s important to remember that they’re not doing this on purpose, and they’re not always in control of their actions. For instance, if a BPD patient says aggressive words, be patient with them. Allow the person to feel relaxed and calm and then try to understand what triggered their actions.
Be Supportive
Offer encouragement and praise when warranted, and be there to listen when the person with BPD needs to talk. You can also offer support in terms of practical things like meals, transportation, or chores.
Set Boundaries
People with BPD can often be demanding and overwhelming, so it’s important to establish limits on what you’re willing to do and how much time you’re willing to spend.
Get Professional help
A person with BPD needs help from mental health professionals. You can take your loved one living with BPD to visit a doctor or therapist to get medical treatment for the condition. There are also group and individual therapy for BPD patients; make sure you encourage a BPD patient to register for these helpful therapies.
Have a fun relationship with them
Make a conscious effort to build a healthy relationship with a BPD patient; it’ll help such a patient heal faster. Plan a fun outing with them; you can visit the cinema, attend a concert, go sightseeing, and do other fun, enjoyable activities. The positive vibes are a good distraction from negative emotions, and it also helps build a fun attachment with them.
Don’t forget yourself
Anyone caring for a patient with a medical condition such as BPD can easily forget to take time out to care for themselves. Endeavor to take time to rest and look after yourself; this will help you also to maintain mental and physical health.
Finally, a borderline personality disorder can cause people to behave in unpredictable ways, and it’s not your fault. Remember that you can’t change or fix someone else; only they can do that themselves. Just offer your support and love, and be there for them when they need you. The good news is that there are steps you can take to support someone with BPD and help them on their road to recovery.v
